Top 5 tips for renovating your bathroom

Renovating any room of the house can be fun, but the bathroom is pretty vital. You spend so much of your time in there, so decking it out with some wonderful bathroom accessories, like the ones we have over on BHG Shop is always a nice option once the job is done, too! Here are handy tips on bathroom renovations and how to make it all happen...

1) Get a few quotes and a realistic idea of what it’s going to cost because in the end if could save you thousands. So many variables can have an impact on the cost of a bathroom, so it’s important to get these quotes first.

Remember: it takes more tradespeople to work in a bathroom than in any other room in the house, so bathroom-work is expensive – especially if they’re done right. In terms of quotes, the best way to source them is through word of mouth. If you get stuck, you could always call your local bathroom store, as they should have a few quality recommendations.

2) Give yourself time and be sure to not rush it. Good product may take time to get, especially when you take into account that the trend these days is for taps, showers and so on is to be in many custom finishes, such as brass, nickel, matte black and copper just to name a few.

These can take 6-8 weeks to produce, so patience is a virtue here! It’s the same sort of timeframe for custom-made cabinets and stone for your benchtops. It might be an idea to take a look at some inspiration like in the latest issues of Better Homes and Gardens, and have a good understanding of what you want to achieve before setting-off.

3) Bathrooms can be toughies! To get all the details right it's good to look into investing in a draftsman or architect to draw some plans for you. This can only cost you a few hundred dollars but it is likely to save you many hundreds more. It will give you and the shops you visit a firm understanding of what will fit and what will work in a bathroom, not to mention itt will give the plumber, electrician, and carpenters guidelines to work within. Most tradies will tell you they would all prefer to work off a detailed set of plans than a rough sketch done on the bathroom door.

4) Have a clear understanding of why you are renovating your bathroom. Is it is for the re-sale of your property or are you wanting to create your dream bathroom that you plan to enjoy for many years? If it’s the latter, have some fun with it. There are so many trendy looks available, so don’t be scared to put your stamp on it: Minimalism, Maximalism, Art Deco, Hamptons – we all have a style we love. If you’re thinking of re-sale, it's good advice is to keep your design safe and practical. Think about your target market and stick to the one design. You could use a timeless range of taps (Vola is a great example of this), and opt for showers that are practical for both women and men. Simple colour tones and quality product are also advised.

5) Finally, have as much of the product ready prior to the start of the bathroom renovation as you can. By having the bathroom products – tiles, toilets, taps, basins – ready for your tradies, this will not only save you money but also reduce the time it takes to renovate. It helps the tradies, as they can see what needs to be installed, and there are no excuses if something is done wrong in the bathroom if all the goods were available to them during the renovations. Combine that with a good set of plans/drawings and a great team of tradies and you’ll go a long way to achieving the bathroom you’re after.